Born in 1937 on a farm at the end of the Depression, Terry’s family lived in what locals referred to as “the dollhouse” because of its quaint size. On the edge of Watertown, South Dakota, the house had a single electric light in every room, which was always turned off after someone left the room. (Energy conservation was a must.) Early memories like this, which can be seen in “Lights of Home”, made their way into Terry’s paintings.
Watertown was a prime neighborhood for growing up outdoors. When Terry was 5, his family moved to town where his dad repaired cars. Kids in the community participated in games, such as kick the can and hopscotch. In the evening, they toasted marshmallows over the bonfire. Terry frequented the nearby lakes, woods, and prairie all summer to fish and hunt with his family. In the winter, Terry carved and painted fishing lures, repaired old rifles, and, of course, he drew.